Now Open: Marmi

I know a classy woman who marched her extremely narrow feet straight to the Galleria in Edina on Wednesday when she heard shoe store Marmi had opened. This upscale specialty chain, with 23 stores nationwide and a robust online following, offers a wide range of sizes—4 to 13, as well as wide and narrow widths that are hard to find, even at department stores. As for styles, it's fashionable basics (pumps, boots) and comfort with class (sleek flats) from brands like Vaneli and Eric Javits.

Pumpz & Co., Galleria's locally owned longtime shoe boutique, need not worry about losing its foothold (had to)—it is still clearly the choice for a a fashion forward point of view, and has the edge on designer brands, and accessories. But it never hurts to have options (especially for hard-to-fit feet!), and Marmi, while not cheap by any stretch, is less expensive with an average price point around $150.